MUST holds lecture on humanistic approach to language teaching

Professor Tang Lixing

The International College of the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) commemorated its 24th anniversary with a special appointment ceremony and lecture centered on the theme of “Humanizing teaching: A humanistic approach to teaching languages.”

The recent event featured the appointment of Distinguished Professor Tang Lixing and drew over a hundred graduate students from the School of International Studies.

A scholar in the field of language education, Professor Tang has held various prestigious positions, including director and co-director of the Chinese Teacher Development Center at New York University. He is currently serving as a chair professor and doctoral supervisor at New York University, and brings extensive teaching experience and leadership in language education.

The appointment ceremony commenced with a welcome speech by Dean Zhang Hongming of the International College, who expressed his delight in inviting Professor Tang to join MUST for academic exchange activities.

He highlighted the significance of this collaboration, particularly on the occasion of the university’s anniversary and the fifth “International Chinese Day.”

The partnership aims to promote the development goals of the International College, focusing on “Language, Education, Culture + Internationalization.”

Following the appointment ceremony, Professor Tang delivered a lecture that delved into the essence of language teaching, guiding the audience to recognize that it encompasses more than imparting language skills.

According to the scholar, language teaching should also foster a human connection with students, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships. He shared personal anecdotes and engaged the audience in reflecting on the role of teachers, encouraging them to establish meaningful connections and facilitate students’ success.

Furthermore, the expert emphasized the cultivation of students’ adversity quotient (AQ) and elaborated on how language teachers can establish emotional connections between learners and the target language. He stressed the creation of a supportive and comfortable learning environment, enabling students not only to absorb the teaching content but also to apply their knowledge in real-life situations.  Staff Reporter